UNESCO, HNA Group and Hainan Foundation sign $5 million agreement to accelerate girls’ and women’s education

The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova; the Board Chairman of China’s HNA Group Co. Ltd, Chen Feng; and the Board Chairman of the Hainan Chiang Foundation, Zeng Haorong, today signed a five year framework agreement to fund girls’ and women’s education.

Under the agreement, HNA Group will give UNESCO $5 million over the next five years for activities to accelerate gender equality in education throughout Africa and Asia.

“Girls’ education is a question of justice and dignity. It is also the strongest lever for the development of societies and the construction of peace,” said Ms Bokova, after noting the persisting disparity rates in access to education in Africa as well as western and southern Asia. “I am pleased that we have a new partner from China to pass important messages on girls’ education and to help some of the most vulnerable girls and women in the world to fulfill their potential,” she added.

HNA is a firm believer in “doing something for the community and doing something for others […] to contribute to the wellbeing of humanity and world peace,” said Mr Chen. “We will encourage Chinese companies to participate in this effort,” he said, expressing the hope that the new partnership with UNESCO would help change the lives the millions of girls and women deprived of education.